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NHL teams well-represented at Memorial Cup

by
Adam Kimelman
/ NHL.com

Between the four teams competing for the 2012 Memorial Cup are prospects representing 20 NHL teams.

The Montreal Canadiens have the most players to watch, among them their last two first-round draft picks -- London Knights defenseman Jarred Tinordi, their top pick in 2010, and Saint John Sea Dogs defenseman Nathan Beaulieu, their first pick in 2011.

Also in the tournament are Shawinigan Cataractes defenseman Morgan Ellis, a fourth-round pick in 2010, and Shawinigan forward Michael Bournival, a 2010 draft pick who the Canadiens acquired in a trade with Colorado.

The Edmonton Oilers are one of two teams with three prospects in tournament, and all play for the Edmonton Oil Kings -- forwards Travis Ewanyk (third round, 2011) and Kristians Pells (seventh round, 2010), and defenseman Martin Gernat (fifth round, 2011).

The Minnesota Wild will be keeping a close eye on Saint John in their quest to become just the ninth team in 94 years to repeat as Memorial Cup champion. Sea Dogs forward Zack Phillips was selected No. 28 at last year's draft, a pick they acquired from the San Jose Sharks as part of the Brent Burns trade. In that same deal they also acquired 2010 first-round pick Charlie Coyle, who left Boston University in January to join Saint John after playing for the U.S. at the 2012 World Junior Championship. Coyle tied teammate and Washington Capitals prospect Stanislav Galiev for the QMJHL playoff scoring lead with 34 points in 17 games; Phillips was second, two points behind them.